The battle over Malawi’s constitutional right to peaceful demonstrations has ignited fierce debates in Parliament, with accusations of violence and authoritarianism threatening to unravel the nation’s democratic fabric.
As opposition leaders decry a return to one-party rule, government officials defend their actions, citing historical grievances and a need for public safety.
Leader of Opposition George Chaponda painted a grim picture of the current political climate, accusing the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) of sponsoring violence to stifle dissent.
“We are seeing panga-wielding individuals terrorizing peaceful demonstrators while the police look on. This is a clear erosion of our constitutional rights. People fought for multi-party democracy in 1993 to end the tyranny of the MCP, and now it seems we are drifting back to a one-party state,” Chaponda charged.
Chaponda pointed to recent incidents where demonstrations were disrupted, including on November 13 and 25, 2024, when civil society organizations were met with violence and tear gas.
“The Lilongwe City Council even used the excuse of the President’s movements to stop demonstrations. Since when has a President’s travel superseded citizens’ rights?” he asked, further criticizing the government for ruling by fear rather than fostering peace.
Leader of the House Richard Chimwendo Banda, however urged for a balanced critique of violence in Malawi’s political history.
He accused the opposition of selective condemnation, highlighting instances of violence under the DPP regime.
“In 2011, 20 people were killed during demonstrations. In 2019, families were burned in their homes. Violence is not new, and we must condemn it universally. Let’s stop pointing fingers and work together to promote peace,” he said, stressing those collaborative efforts are essential to fostering a stable and democratic society.
The leader of the house also questioned the rhetoric of some demonstrators, suggesting that provocative slogans and threats of chaos undermine the principle of peaceful protests.
“The Constitution allows peaceful protests, but what we’ve seen are calls for destruction. Demonstrators must respect others’ rights too. Vendors in Lilongwe, for instance, are only protecting their property after losing everything in the past,” Chimwendo Banda argued.
Echoing Chaponda’s sentiments, Machinga East MP Ester Jolobala shifted focus to what she called the failure of political leadership to prioritize Malawians’ welfare.
She expressed dismay at the constant blame-shifting between the ruling MCP and the opposition DPP, accusing both sides of neglecting their duty to address the struggles of ordinary citizens.
“We sit in Parliament while Malawians go to bed hungry, and all we hear is a blame game. What difference does it make who did worse when people are starving? Our people need solutions, not political rivalries. We are tired of the blame game. Malawians are starving. They can’t even afford one meal a day, yet we sit here arguing about which party did worse. What are we doing to help the people?” Jolobala emphasized, adding that the perpetual conflict between the two parties has left citizens disillusioned with the entire political system.
Jolobala also called for the resignation of the Inspector General of Police, Merlyne Yolamu, accusing her of failing to protect citizens.
“When the police fail, citizens take matters into their own hands, which leads to chaos. We need leadership that prioritizes justice and security, not politics,” she said.
Jolobala’s call comes just days after Inspector General, Merlyne Yolamu announced the arrest of several men suspected of disrupting recent anti-government demonstrations in Lilongwe.
